Neil McCann says Celtic now have an ‘X-Factor’ player who can lift fans off their seats like Jota

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There has been a lot of talk about Celtic not really taking the club’s squad to the next level in the summer and how action needs to be taken in January.

Of course, all of this is further flared up by the team’s performances in the Champions League – the powers that be have been urged to back Brendan Rodgers.

But whilst some question transfers here and there, some respect needs to be put on Luis Palma’s name because he has made a brilliant start to life at Celtic.

For Neil McCann, he thinks that Luis Palma has the ‘X-Factor’ after his ‘lovely’ assist and penalty during Celtic’s 4-1 win over Hibernian on Wednesday night, as he told Sportscene Premiership Highlights. 

Back in the summer, Celtic lost Jota to Saudi Arabia, but with the Portuguese star heading for the exit door, Neil McCann thought that the Treble winners lost a player who could get the fans off their seats.

But he thinks Luis Palma now has that ability because he has something special about him when he is on the ball.

Celtic beat Hibernian

“Again, It’s Luis Palma, out on that wide position, going by big Miller,” said McCann for the assist for O’Riley’s header.

“When they lost Jota, I feel – but I think they really just suffered for a player who can get off their seats. I think Palma has got that X-Factor again, it was a lovely assist.”

Luis Palma’s strong start

One thing Jota has over Palma is acceleration and that pace to go past a defender over five-10 yards.

But aside from that, he is very clever on the ball and utilises what he does in an effective manner.

From Palma’s 11 Premiership games this season, he has five goals and six assists. 

There is no reason why he can’t hit double figures in both departments in his debut season in Celtic colours, which would be some return.